Scientists find way to fight gum disease without wiping out good bacteria

A study in npj Biofilms and Microbiomes found that blocking AHL signaling molecules with lactonases shifts dental plaque toward health-associated bacteria. The effect depends on oxygen: above the gumline disrupting signals helps, while below it adding AHLs promotes disease-linked species.

• The mouth hosts about 700 bacterial species that communicate via quorum sensing
• Lactonases break down AHL signals and shift plaque toward healthy species
• Above the gumline blocking AHLs helps; below it AHLs boost pathogens
• The research was funded by the US National Institutes of Health